Racing News | Colonial Downs Racetrack

COLONIAL DOWNS OFFICIALS ENTHUSED WITH FIRST WEEK’S RESULTS FOLLOWING RETURN OF THOROUGHBRED RACING

Spearheaded by large fields, an influx of nationally-rated horsemen and strong reviews for both the dirt and turf courses, Colonial Downs officials are very encouraged by the overall results of the first week of Thoroughbred racing at the track in six years. The “Racing Revival” at Colonial was launched last Thursday with a 10-race card, […]

COLONIAL DOWNS RETURNS WITH SUCCESSFUL FIRST PROGRAM OF THOROUGHBRED RACING IN SIX YEARS

With the call of “Riders Up” from Kate Tweedy Chenery, daughter of Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, Thoroughbred racing in Virginia began a new era Thursday evening as Colonial Downs opened racing for the first time in six years to enthusiastic crowds, racing luminaries and top flight racing from horsemen and jockeys throughout the mid-Atlantic and […]

LIVE THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACING RETURNS TO VIRGINIA

Colonial Downs Opens Under New Ownership, Bringing the Sport Back to the Commonwealth for the First Time in Five Years Thoroughbred horse racing is back in Virginia. Colonial Downs, which originally opened on September 1, 1997 and then closed on October 14, 2014, is once again open for business with the newly named Secretariat Turf […]

VIRGINIA-BRED STAKES ACTION HIGHLIGHTS FIRST SATURDAY CARD AT COLONIAL DOWNS

Virginia-bred runners are featured Saturday night at Colonial Downs in four $100,000 stakes races, all to be contested over the Secretariat Turf Course and are the first such races to be run in the Commonwealth since 2013. Under new ownership of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and renovated facilities, this meeting marks the re-birth of racing in […]

TVG TO TELEVISE COLONIAL DOWNS RACE MEETING

America’s Leading Horse Racing Network Also to Present On-Site Coverage of Virginia Racing Festival, Aug. 30-31 Officials of Colonial Downs Group and Television Games Network (TVG) today announced that TVG, America’s leading Thoroughbred racing network and advance deposit wagering (ADW) platform, will televise races for the 2019 Colonial Downs meeting, beginning with opening day this […]

COLONIAL DOWNS ANNOUNCES HORSE SAFETY AND WELFARE PROTOCOLS FOR UPCOMING RACE MEETING

In restoring Thoroughbred racing in Virginia after a six-year hiatus, Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the Virginia Racing Commission, today announced a comprehensive set of elevated safety and horse welfare procedures and protocols for its upcoming race meeting, which opens on August 8. These broad-based protocols will encompass Pre-Race Examinations, Medication, Test Barn Procedures and […]

Colonial Downs Opening Day Card On Thursday Features 10 races, 107 Horses, $515,000 In Purse Monies

With new ownership, renovated facilities, and a $300 million investment into Virginia racing in progress, Colonial Downs is set to usher in a new era of thoroughbred racing this coming Thursday August 8th with a ten race program beginning at 5 PM. Thoroughbred horses last ran at Colonial in the summer of 2013. A total […]

VIRGINIA DERBY NEWLY NAMED FOR HOME LOCATION

The “New Kent County Virginia Derby” Debuts on August 31 Colonial Downs and New Kent County, home county of the track, announced a new joint partnership today with horse racing’s revival in the Commonwealth that includes sponsorship of the Grade 3 Virginia Derby. The $250,000 stakes race, which highlights a “Racing Revival Weekend” on August […]

Nominations Set For Four-Pack Of $100,000 Virginia-Bred/Sired Stakes August 10th At Colonial Downs

The top three finishers from the 2018 Meadow Stable Stakes for Virginia-Bred/Sired horses all nominated to the 2019 edition, which will be a co-featured event on the Saturday August 10th program at Colonial Downs. The New Kent oval will usher in its first thoroughbred racing season since 2013 on Thursday August 8th at 5 PM. […]

COLONIAL DOWNS OFFERING AMONG INDUSTRY’S LOWEST TAKEOUT RATES FOR UPCOMING RACE MEETING, AUGUST 8-SEPTEMBER 7

12% Rate on Pick Five Following approval today from the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC), Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the Virginia Horse Racing Benevolent and Protective Association (VHPBA), is proud to announce among the lowest industry takeout rates on all wagers for the upcoming Colonial Downs race meeting scheduled to open on August 8. The […]

COLONIAL DOWNS OPENS BARN AREA JULY 25 ATTRACTING HORSEMEN WITH $500,000 DAILY PURSE STRUCTURE, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND RACING INCENTIVES

With the barn area opening just one week from today, July 25, anticipation is running high for 2019 Colonial Downs race meeting after a six-year hiatus of flat racing in Virginia, highlighted by the enthusiastic arrival of trainers across the Middle Atlantic, Northeast and Midwestern regions, and attracted by a strong purse structure of $500,000 […]

Long Time Employee Jeff Wingrove Works To Create Top Notch Experience For Both Horsemen And Fans

In the time that thoroughbred racing last took place at Colonial Downs in 2013 to the time a new era will be ushered in six years later on August 8th, one constant has remained through the regime change and down time. Jeff Wingrove started working at Colonial in 2005 and after serving in various positions […]

FASIG-TIPTON AND COLONIAL DOWNS FORGE PARTNERSHIP

Fasig-Tipton has reached an agreement with Colonial Downs to sponsor the Virginia Oaks at the racetrack’s upcoming meet. The $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Virginia Oaks will be run on August 31, along with the $250,000 Virginia Derby (G3). These races are part of a 17-race stakes schedule totaling $1.8 million that will be conducted during the 15-day […]

Behind The Scenes Work Continues At Colonial In Preparation For August 8th Opening Day

With less than five weeks to go until live thoroughbred racing returns to Virginia, things are ramping up at the New Kent oval. Behind the scenes work continues in anticipation of the stable area opening July 25th and the first race going to post on August 8th. Dan Waits, Executive Director of the Racetrack Chaplaincy […]

COLONIAL DOWNS NAMES TURF COURSE AFTER SECRETARIAT

Partners with Tweedy Family to Spotlight Virginia Native Son, 1973 Triple Crown Winner and Racing Champion Colonial Downs Group announced today plans to name its turf course for 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. A name synonymous with the sport of Thoroughbred racing, Secretariat was born at Meadow Stable in Doswell, Va., in 1970. He became […]

Colonial Downs Mount Fee To Be Highest In Mid-Atlantic After Guild, Virginia HBPA Pact

by Press Release | 06.27.2019 | 9:24am The Jockeys’ Guild and the Virginia HBPA have reached an agreement on a mount fee schedule for races to be run at Colonial Downs beginning with their opening day, August 8, 2019. The mount fee schedule calls for a minimum fee of $125, the highest in the mid-Atlantic […]

Colonial Downs Mount Fee To Be Highest In Mid-Atlantic After Guild, Virginia HBPA Pact

The Jockeys’ Guild and the Virginia HBPA have reached an agreement on a mount fee schedule for races to be run at Colonial Downs beginning with their opening day, August 8, 2019. The mount fee schedule calls for a minimum fee of $125, the highest in the mid-Atlantic area. Racing is returning to Virginia […]

Colonial Track Superintendent Ken Brown Getting Track Surfaces Back In Shape After Years Of Inactivity

When the first thoroughbred race since 2013 is held at Colonial Downs Racetrack this August, one person in particular will breathe a sigh of relief. Track Superintendent Ken Brown, who began his second stint at the New Kent, Virginia track in April, is in charge of bringing its two highly regarded racing surfaces back to […]

FREE GENERAL ADMISSION AS RACING RETURNS TO COLONIAL DOWNS

Other Options Available at Various Price Points for Racing Fans Tickets on Sale This Weekend Colonial Downs is pleased to announce families are welcome as it offers free general admission to everyone during its upcoming 15-day race meeting, August 8 – September 7. Other seating options are available as tickets go on sale this weekend. […]

VIRGINIA DERBY HEADLINES COLONIAL DOWNS 2019 STAKES SCHEDULE AS THOROUGHBRED RACING RETURNS TO THE COMMONWEALTH

Stall Application and Condition Book Now Available Led by the $250,000 Virginia Derby (G3), Colonial Downs today announced its 2019 stakes schedule for the 15-day race meeting, August 8 – September 7, which will include $1.8 million in stakes purses as flat racing returns to Virginia for the first time since 2013. Through the […]